The best Transformers of 2021

 Another dreadful year of higher up control. But let's recap this year of my favorite Kingdom, 86 Studio series, and whatever figures I opened up this year. This year was a little different due to the fact Kingdom consisted mainly of Beast wars figures (I'm not into BW), so to make a top 5 out of that category was going to be fairly slim and difficult. Same for the 86 line since I didn't get everyone. I do have a Sharkticon 86 review but he will have to settle for a 2022 post and possibly a re-edit "best of" post if the character warrants such a change. 

Transformers Kingdom

Inferno

The mold was made for him. Colors are vibrant. He looks good and plays well overall. An improvement over Grapple. 

86 Studio Series

Grimlock

Sweep

Grimlock is a 86 masterpiece done well plus Sweep whose lighter colors doesn't detract any value from the original Scourge figure. In fact, the wings are tightened and not loose as in comparison to Scourge. Despite being a repaint of Scourge, Sweep is still a pretty good figure. 

Legends and Netflix

Topspin and Twintwist

Octane

Megatron

Soundwave

I started to open up some of my figures late. Topspin and Twintwist were simply amazing figures. Lots of replay value for Octane thanks to the ghost Starscream gimmick. Megatron with his nicely painted scheme is a robust looking figure (thanks to Darkonen for supplying me this bad boy). Lastly, Soundwave, immaculate as always stands out in this category as the true last years release (my version is the Japanese NF released that year). 

Honorable mentions: Improved outlook







Sunstreaker who is arguably the blandest looking character in the ER line from 2020 had the most improved look thanks to the upgrades Nonnef supplied. Not to mention, he also supplied Smokescreen's shoulder canon stacks making the figure more G1 looking accurate. 

Thank you folks. 2021 turned out pretty well. Most of the figures were great. Don't get me wrong but these were the ones that stood out to me. Anyhow, thank you once again and I'll see you next time. 

Update: 5/5/22

Kingdom Rodimus Prime

Despite the fact I opened him up earlier this year, he was released back in 2021 so I'll give him that much. Although I feel he is overpriced due to his trailer, he is made with high quality plastic. Fun to play with overall. 

Transformers Studio Series 86 -10 Sweeps x2 review Sweep 86 figure. Transformers Toys Studio Series 86-10 Voyager Class The The Movie 1986 Decepticon Sweep

 

Sweeps wanna have fun.

Aloha. Welcome to another 86 studio series review and today we look at Sweep x2! Let's get started!

Note: some of the pics came out soft. I need to do better when taking group shots.

Boxing

The back of the box makes no mention of whether the Sweeps were formerly Kickback and Shrapnel though the same reformat silhouette backdrop is used here as it once served 86 Scourge.

His Huntsman, the Sweeps. 

 The gun dilemma.... sorta. 

Scourge is the 1st pic here and he holds his rifle fine. Sweep #1 or 3, 4 or 7 has trouble pegging his gun all the way. It was so stiff that I didn't want to put to much pressure otherwise I probably might break his fingernails as some people previously had issues with their Scourge.

As you can see Scourge is a darker blue or purple for that matter. The Sweep is lighter or definitely more bluish looking. This Sweep was able to peg his gun under his fist ok but even on the other hand which is more open, he had difficulty. Also, in case if you haven't been told, Scourge has his closed fist on his right while his left hand sports his open fist. The Sweep has it reversed. 

Sweep#2, 5, or 6 if you care that much.

His weapon pegs in just fine.

Swapped out his weapon with the first Sweep (far right) and he has issues pegging his weapon fully.

Back to the first Sweep exchanging weapons with Scourge.  And guess what? His weapon dilemma is fixed! At this point I was really perplexed. He was able to grasp Scourge's weapon with ease and then when I plugged in his own weapon afterwards. He held his weapon just fine now. Although it is a slight, tight fit, the weapon pegged in all the way. Scourge is the leader after all. 

Their weapon blaster effects are the same though I can't help but feel Scourge's blaster effect is a little lighter purple. But I won't dwell on this too much. 

Scourge and the Sweeps 

For the most part, the Sweeps are a palette swap of Scourge and some differences like the hand placement. However, the Sweeps have tighter joints and less of a floppy wing than Scourge or at least the versions I have. 

I never thought I would troop build with this guy but it happened and here it is! Generations Scourge x2, United Scourge, Legends Scourge, Sweep headmasters x3, 86 Scourge, and 86 Sweep x2. 

Yes, I didn't forget about Galvatron and Cyclonus.

The G1 series mentioned there were 7 Sweeps. If you minus the headmasters here, I have seven here to be exact. Scourge being the 1st and the leader. 

Here is the reference: https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sweep_(G1)

Alt modes

I managed to do the elevated head reveal gimmick. It does require you to extend the back panel in a raised manner. If you know how to transform Scourge, then the Sweeps are done in the same fashion. The only problem in this mode was my Sweeps had very loose turrets that would pop off every now and then. And it was kinda of chore to re-transform the B-52 Scourges since I haven't touched them in a while. I eventually figured it out but it took some time remembering. Legends Scourge was and still is a breeze.

Conclusion:

Well, I always liked 86 Scourge. Visually he is nice to look at and plays well. The Sweeps are no exception. It's just Scourge done in a lighter blue plus different hand positioning. I think my Sweep army is done. No more for me I say but as for the figures itself, get them to build your 86 army.